Electromechanically actuated valve control for an internal combustion engine
Patent 7367921 Issued on May 6, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 20, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 20, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesEngine overspeed control system Method for operating an internal combustion engine Vehicle management computer Engine shut-down device Vehicle management computer Valve adjuster mechanism for an internal combustion engine Valve actuator responsive to gear shift for reducing torque shock Control device for variable displacement engine Internal combustion engine Method of initiating motion of a cylinder valve actuated by an electromagnetic actuator InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 11551566 filed on 10/20/2006US Classes:477/111, Transmission setting contingent123/349, Having condition responsive means with engine being part of a closed feedback system (e.g., cruise control)477/107, Engine controlled by transmission701/22, Electric vehicle123/481, Engine cylinder cutout477/181Engine controlled by clutch controlExaminersPrimary: Pang, RogerAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesB60W 10/04F02D 9/02 AbstractA system and method to control engine valve operation in an internal combustion engine. Valves are controlled to improve vehicle drivability and reduce vehicle noise. ClaimsThe invention claimed is: 1. A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:determining an operating condition of a transmission coupled to said internal combustion engine; selecting a number of cylinders to operate based on said determined transmission operating condition; selecting a number of electrically actuated valves tooperate in said operating cylinders based on said determined transmission operating condition; and operating said internal combustion engine with said selected number of cylinders and said selected number of electrically actuated valves during a cycleof said cylinder. 2. The method of claim 1 where said selected number of cylinders operate with said selected number of valves. 3. The method of claim 2 where said transmission operating condition is a selected transmission gear. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting whether to operate one intake valve per cylinder or two intake valves per cylinder in the selected number of cylinders. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting whether to operate one exhaust valve per cylinder or two exhaust valves per cylinder in the selected number of cylinders. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting whether to operate one intake valve per cylinder, two intake valves per cylinder, or alternating intake valves per cylinder, in the selected number of cylinders. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting whether to operate two valves per cylinder or two intake valves per cylinder in the selected number of cylinders. 8. A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: varying a number of active cylinders carrying out combustion as an operatingcondition of the transmission changes, and further varying a number of active electrically actuated valves in said active cylinders as said operating condition of the transmission changes. 9. The method of claim 8 where said transmission operating condition is a selected transmission gear. 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising varying the number of active electrically actuated intake valves in said active cylinders as said operating condition of the transmission changes. 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising varying the number of active electrically actuated intake valves among one active intake valve and two active intake valves per cylinder as said operating condition of the transmission changes. 12. The method of claim 8 further comprising varying the number of active electrically actuated exhaust valves in said active cylinders as said operating condition of the transmission changes. 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising varying the number of active electrically actuated exhaust valves among one active exhaust valve and two active exhaust valves per cylinder as said operating condition of the transmission changes. 14. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a transmission oil temperature. 15. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a gear of said transmission. 16. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a fifth gear of said transmission. 17. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a state of a torque converter lock-up clutch. 18. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a torque ross of said transmission. 19. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a position of a gear selector switch. 20. The method of claim 8 wherein said operating condition of said transmission is a current and a subsequent gear selection of said transmission. Other References
Field of SearchEngine controlled by transmissionDiminution during transmission change Responsive to transmission output condition Transmission setting contingent Change to neutral idles engine Closed loop feedback control of spark timing Separate control for each cylinder Having condition responsive means with engine being part of a closed feedback system (e.g., cruise control) |
